W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center Public Affairs

The Salisbury VA Medical Center is now taking submissions for the local level of competition of the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. Winners in the art competition will be announced Feb. 21 during a showing in the Building 6 Social Room at 2 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend.

Veterans who live in the Salisbury VAMC catchment area are encouraged to enter the competition. Applications for the competition are available through the Recreation Therapy office located in Building 6. Entries are due by 7 p.m. Feb. 9.

The competition includes 51 categories in the visual arts division this year that range from oil painting to leatherwork to paint-by-number kits. In addition, there are 100 categories in the performing arts pertaining to all aspects of music, dance, drama and creative writing. First place winners from this local show will be entered into the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, taking place Oct. 12-19 at the VA Medical Center in Durham.

More than 3,200 veterans from 129 VA facilities around the nation took part in the 2014 National Veterans Creative Arts competition. The program provides veterans the opportunity to express themselves through the arts and to gain recognition for their creative talents and skills.

Veterans who would like more information on the competition can call Terri Gilbeau at 704-638-9000, at extension 3575; Jenny Taylor, at extension 3065; or Brittany Gerring, at extension 3143. More information about the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival is also available at http://www.va.gov/opa/speceven/caf/index.asp.

The arts competition is sponsored by the Salisbury VAMC Recreation Therapy Department and the American Legion Auxiliary.